Joseph D Phaneuf

Joseph Dames Phaneuf, 70, formerly of General Leroy Manor Road, passed away unexpectedly on July 11, 2023.

He was born on April 15, 1953 to Dames and Gloria Phaneuf in Plattsburgh, NY.

He was a veteran of the United States Air Force, serving 4 years as an Air traffic Controller. During his service he was given an award for his support in aiding over 850 Vietnamese and Cambodian orphans en route to America.

The majority of his career, Joe was a Rural Mail Carrier for the United States Postal Service, which he retired from.

Joe always loved nature. Throughout his life he enjoyed working in the woods, gardening, fishing, watching wildlife, and spending time with one of his many rescue dogs, most recently Rocky.

He was a homebody at heart, and showed his love by cooking his infamous spaghetti sauce, or making a batch of his mother’s sour cream doughnuts.

His favorite past time was bowling. He bowled in the Tuesday night league at North Bowl Lanes for over 40 years. After he retired, he added 2 daytime senior leagues. He was forever chasing the elusive “300”, coming within 1 or 2 strikes of it, a number of times over the years.

He will be missed by many, so many more than he ever knew, but none more than his grandchildren: Nyla, Alyn, Kiya, and Myca Capen and Brevyn Reese. They remember a Papa with a booming laugh, and a warm hug. A Papa who wore Tilley hats, watched movies with them, taught them how to bowl, and fish. A Papa who jumped on the trampoline with them, made them spaghetti, Michigans, ice cream floats, and doughnuts. A Papa who loved them from the minute they were born, and loves them still.

Over his life, Dad taught me many lessons. His death taught me this final one: cherish the everyday things with your loved ones. The things we want to rush through now, are often the ones we long for when they are gone.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at 11:00am on Saturday, September 2nd at Danvers Church of the Nazarene 181 Dayton St Danvers Ma. A graveside service will be held on Friday October 6th at 11:00am St Alexander’s Cemetery, Rand Hill Road, Morrisonville NY with military honors. All are welcome to attend either or both.

Arrangements entrusted to Brown Funeral Home, Plattsburgh. Online condolences may be offered at www.brownfuneralhomeinc.com